Serena Williams gives birth to baby girl, according to reports

NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (REUTERS) – Serena Williams has given birth to a baby girl, the first child for the former world number one tennis player, according to reports Friday (September 1) and well wishes from friends.

The 35-year-old American, who is engaged to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, has not competed since winning the Australian Open in January but has posted several videos to social media showing her hitting balls during her pregnancy.

Sister Venus, who is in New York City taking part in the U.S. Open tennis tournament, refused to confirm or discuss the reports of Serena’s birth.

“I’m definitely available to answer questions about tennis, that’s all right now,” Venus told reporters when asked at her post match news conference.

Serena has dominated the sport for the past decade and is one grand slam short of Australian Margaret Court’s record of 24 major titles.

She confirmed her pregnancy in April hours after triggering frenzied speculation when she accidentally posted a short-lived selfie on social media with the caption: “20 weeks”.

Williams, the world’s highest-paid female athlete, was about two months pregnant when she captured her 23rd grand slam singles title at the Australian Open.

She told Vogue magazine last month about her “outrageous plan” to defend her title in Australia, where the year’s first grand slam will be played from Jan. 15-28.

Other women have left the tour to have children and returned at a high level, although none has done so at Williams’ age.

Kim Clijsters of Belgium retired and had a child before coming back at age 26 and winning three grand slam titles.

Australians Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Court also won grand slam titles after having children.